Ralph Massullo

Florida state Sen. Ralph Massullo has filed SB 44, a claims bill that would authorize the Orange County Sheriff's Office to pay over $20 million to Sean Hurley, a motorcyclist struck by a deputy in 2019. The bill states that Deputy Nicholas Orrizzi was leaving home for a night shift when he pulled into the path of Hurley's motorcycle on Red Bug Lake Road, striking him and throwing him into a grassy median. A trooper found Orrizzi had violated Hurley's right-of-way, and Hurley suffered catastrophic injuries requiring multiple surgeries and lifelong medical care.

An Orange County jury later found Orrizzi fully negligent and awarded Hurley more than $20.8 million in damages. Because Florida law caps judgments against government agencies at $200,000, a claims bill must pass the Legislature and be signed by the governor to allow the full payout. Orrizzi was previously suspended six days over the crash and was involved in another "avoidable" collision two months later. SB 44 awaits action in next year's legislative session.